EDENTON — The election for three seats to serve on the Edenton Town Council is ahead in November.  

As such, we’ll be posting candidate profiles in the days ahead so our readers can make informed choices about who they think will best serve the community.

Regina Bond and Craig Miller are the candidates for the At-Large seat on Town Council.  

Incumbent Elton Bond is running unopposed for the 4th Ward seat.

Q: Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

A native of Edenton, I graduated from John A. Holmes High School in 2010 and went on to earn a degree in Political Science and English from North Carolina Central University. My passion for service began in high school, where I served in leadership roles including class president and student body president. During that time, I was honored with the Roland Vaughn Outstanding Service Award, presented by the former mayor.

After returning to Edenton, I became actively involved in local organizations such as the NAACP and was appointed to Edenton’s Young Folk Committee — an experience that further fueled my interest in pursuing public office.

Professionally, I have built a career in the tech industry, where I have worked for more than 10 years.

Q: We had a tax increase this past budget cycle. What will you do to hold expenses tight and make another increase less likely?

Our town provides many services to our citizens. From utility services such electric, water and sewer, to fire and police. Just like everything, the cost of services have increased year after year. We have been able to maintain the past few years without an increase to taxes. A bulk of our budget consisted of replacing outdated equipment  and vehicles. The best way to ensure fiscal responsibility is by comprising a tiered prioritization plan for each department. This will allow council and town administration to see the immediate needs of each department and acquire them over time versus all at once. 

Q: Many residents felt in the dark about the recent utility-rate increases. How will you and the council improve transparency moving forward?

Transparency was at the forefront of my first campaign, and I delivered on that promise by championing the creation of the Public Information Officer position. This role was established to keep residents informed on all matters within our community and to promote openness throughout our government. I remain committed to working with our town administration to ensure this position fulfills its purpose. I also encourage the public to attend council meetings and to reach out to their local leaders to stay informed and share their concerns.

Q: Edenton is not a cheap place to live. What policies will you pursue to make it more affordable for service and civil-service workers?

The cost of living has risen across the country — from rent to the price of eggs. Here in Edenton, we’ve made meaningful strides toward providing affordable housing. With the land acquisition on Coke Avenue, my goal is to make homeownership attainable for everyone—from our blue-collar workers to our retirees. In addition, several promising housing projects are underway that will expand rental options for our citizens as well.

Q: Should all town employees have an evaluation before receiving a salary increase?

Absolutely. I firmly believe that every employee, including the Town Manager, should undergo a performance evaluation. I personally led the efforts to implement the Town Manager’s evaluations, which have been successfully carried out by the council over the past two years. These evaluations not only ensure transparency and accountability within our government, but also provide a fair foundation for decisions made by the council or town administration regarding salary increases, promotions, and other matters.

Q: What would you like to do to keep current businesses and attract new ones?

Our downtown district is thriving, and I want to applaud the leadership of Ches and Timmy for their dedication to revitalizing this vital part of our community. Their work has helped breathe new life into downtown, making it a destination for both residents and visitors.

Beyond downtown, I’m also excited about the growth we’re seeing in other parts of town —like the Edenton Shopping Village. Just this weekend, Tractor Supply Company celebrated its grand opening, and it was incredibly well-received by the public. This shows the potential Edenton has to attract strong businesses that want to invest in our community.

As your councilman, I remain committed to ensuring our town administration has the tools and resources it needs to recruit and support new businesses — both small and large. Together, we can continue building a vibrant local economy that creates opportunity, strengthens our tax base, and enhances the quality of life for all of Edenton’s citizens.

Q: What policies should Edenton implement to encourage young adults to return after college?

Edenton and Chowan County take pride in being a welcoming retirement community, and I am certainly grateful for that. However, we also need to focus on the next generation of Edentonians. I was first appointed to a  town board that lead efforts dedicated to improving the quality of life for young adults, and we developed some great ideas that could make a real difference.

If re-elected, I would love to revive that committee and expand its scope to include input from our local junior and high school student government groups. This would give students a voice in shaping the future of our town, provide valuable hands-on experience in local leadership, and allow our town leaders to gain fresh insights from the very people who will inherit Edenton’s future. Investing in our youth is investing in the long-term prosperity and vitality of our community.

Q: Finally, say something nice about your opponent (Haywood Coston).

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with my opponent for an in-depth conversation about the future of Edenton. I truly enjoyed our exchange and appreciated the opportunity to discuss ideas for our community. I wish him the best of luck in his campaign, and regardless of the outcome, we remain friends and committed to the well-being of Edenton.